NFL Player News

Langford has been bouncing around practice squads for a couple seasons, but he’ll be active for the Week 16 game against the Panthers with Ito Smith on Injured Reserve. Langford will be Tevin Coleman’s backup for the next two weeks with Devonta Freeman (groin, I.R.) not ready to practice.

Breer notes that the Falcons have brought in consulting firm Sportology to evaluate the in-house operations. We’re not getting many leaks on the ground out of Atlanta, but it’d be somewhat surprising if GM Terry Fontenot survived this latest failure after trading his 2026 first-round pick for rookie EDGE James Pearce, especially now that the team’s quarterback situation looks fully unsettled going forward after Michael Penix’s ACL tear. Raheem Morris is only in his second season on the job and may have more rope than Fontenot on account of that.

Marks sat out in Week 16 after logging just one limited practice session. The time off has seemingly paid off. He practiced fully this week and will be on the field as the Texans (10-5) jockey for position in the AFC South, trailing only the Jaguars (11-4). Marks is a volume-based, low-end RB2 for Week 17.

After playing to a 2-0 record with a 5-0 touchdown/interception ratio and taking 10 sacks in 10 games as Green Bay’s backup quarterback over the last two years, Willis will be a free agent this offseason. It does stand to reason that someone will make a major play for him as at least a stopgap starter. Willis was highly-regarded in the media mockdraftsphere in 2022 and the Titans traded up to select him in the third round that year. Despite washing out of Tennessee, Willis could get a real chance to start this offseason thanks to the numbers he’s put up in Green Bay.

Landry has been managed all season and it’s possible he’s getting a get-right week here ahead of the playoffs. The Patriots also ruled out Robert Spillane (ankle) yet again, leaving their run defense slightly less imposing for those who are still trying to rely on Breece Hall in Week 17.

If Douglas doesn’t play, New England’s only three healthy wideouts on the roster will be Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism. Chism would fit best in the slot, so he may get a chance to have a moment against the Jets if Douglas is ruled out.

Down two of their four main wideouts this year, and with DeMario Douglas (hamstring) also questionable, it’s possible that Stefon Diggs is asked to play outside more against the Jets in Week 17. None of New England’s three practice squad wideouts have any real game experience, so there’s probably no risk of an outside elevation blowing up here.

Henderson shed his non-contact jersey on Friday and will have a chance to suit up for Sunday’s game against the Jets. Henderson still needs to clear concussion protocol to get on the field, but the decision to list him as questionable suggests the team believes he will be able to clear protocol in time. His status remains one to watch, but if he is clear, Henderson will be on the fantasy radar as a high-end RB2 in a plus matchup against the Jets. While Henderson is questionable, the Patriots also did rule out OG Jared Wilson (concussion).

Boutte did not practice all week and is in some danger of being shut down for the remainder of the regular season, particularly if the Patriots don’t need to battle for seeing in Week 18. His absence will leave Kyle Williams with a big role against the Jets.

The Colts will likely be forced to throw often against a pass-funnel Jaguars defense in Week 17, so whatever Raimann give them could be an upgrade on Luke Tenuta in a game where they’ll need to keep Jacksonville’s pass rushers away from Statue Phil Rivers. It does sound like there’s a chance he will sit or that he’s at a re-aggravation risk based on this wording.

We still don’t know the specifics of Sampson’s hand injury that sidelined him for Weeks 15 and 16, but the rookie running back practiced every day this week and has a good chance of seeing a lead role for the Browns if he’s active. Sampson served as the Browns’ RB1 all the way back in Week 1, and wound up catching eight passes for 64 yards while adding another 12-29-0 on the ground. Sampson would have some appeal as an RB3/FLEX option if he’s available for this week’s fantasy championships. If Sampson is able to go, Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams would likely split backfield duties.